- Ekadeyen Reveals ‘At Least 80% Of 2020-2023 Plan Realized’
BY AWELE OGBOGU
DELTA State Ministry of Economic Planning, yesterday commenced the journey to the Delta State Medium Term Development Plan 2024-2027 (DSMTDP III), with an inaugural meeting/workshop to enlighten and give orientation to focal persons from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the generation, collation, organizing, drafting and submission of inputs, which was held at the fifth floor, Prof. Chike Edozien Workers Secretariat, Asaba.
Welcoming the focal persons with motivational and encouraging words during the think-tank was the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekadeyen, represented by Director of Budget, Mr. Thompson Olije. Director, Planning, Environmental/Social Sector and also, Drafting Task Team Leader, Mr. Azuka Monyei, supported by Director of Statistics, Nkechi Maduemezia and another director, Mrs. Nkechi Atogun were on hand to contribute their expertise and experience to ensure seamless and fruitful deliberations.
Ekadeyen in his speech, said “it is indeed an honour and a privilege to address this gathering of eloquent professionals from different cadres of the Civil Service who are dedicated to providing a plan for driving the M.O.R.E Agenda of His Excellency, Rt. Honorable Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State.” He added “I want to express my profound gratitude for answering this clarion call. It shows a commitment to the crucial task ahead of us which will be of immense benefit, not only to Delta State but also the entire nation.
The Commissioner recalled that “the last edition was for 2020-2023 and going through it, I discovered that at least 80 per cent of the plan was achieved. This goes to show the dynamism of the civil servants as goal getters as it has since become a cherished tradition.As people in governance, we cannot over-emphasize the importance of this Medium Term Development Plan. It is the framework needed to drive the M.O.R.E. Agenda of the present government. This is critical given our ever-increasing needs, in terms of health, education, potable water, roads and other socio- economic amenities for sustainable development.”
Ekadeyen therefore urged participants to put in their best “so that the Governor Oborevwori led administration can effortlessly implement its M.O.R.E. Agenda.” He encouraged them, saying “I have complete faith in your professional expertise and experience in executing this task successfully.”
Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner said “please accept my best wishes as you embark on this all-important assignment.”
At the “Making of Delta State Medium Term Development Plan 2024-2027 Orientation Workshop”,it was noted that the participants are focal persons of various MDAs in the state as well as members of Ministry of Economic Planning Task Team.It was also noted that every MDA focal person should work with the designated Ministry of Economic Planning Task team member, their submission should be forwarded in both electronic (not scanned) and printed copies by the designated MDA focal person to the Head of the Task Team and Director, Planning, Ministry of Economic Planning. Also, the electronic copy (not scanned version) should be submitted via Whatapp to the designated Task Team member or via e-mail to deltastateplan@gmail.com
In addition, the printed copy of the MDAs draft should be signed by the head of the MDA and physically submitted to and acknowledged by the Director, Planning, Delta State Ministry of Economic Planning.
The meeting progressed with introduction of participants, welcome remarks by Director, Planning, Ministry of Economic Planning and Head of the Drafting Task Team, Mr. Azuka Monyei and presentation and explanation of working documents by the consultant, Prof. Eric Eboh.
The Power Point presentation was on the Necessity and Significance of the Development Plan 2024-2027, Structure of the Development Plan Preparation: Three-Layer Structure, comprising the Task team, MDAs Focal Persons and Development Stakeholders.
The 1st layer is the Ministry of Economic Planning Task Team members and their functions, while the 2nd layer is the MDAs Focal persons and their functions. The 3rd layer are the Stakeholders, Private Sector, NGOs, Informal Sector, Civil communities, among others.
There were also Topical Information and Statistics Checklist and source MDAs, template for MDAs Focal Persons to generate, collate and provide draft content into the Development Plan. Subsequently, there was a question and answer session and timeline for submission of draft input.
At the end of the workshop, a number of the participants spoke on their experience, promising to put the knowledge gained at the workshop to good use for the full realization of the Delta State Medium Term Development Plan 2024-2027.
